Police Products

Product Review: The Hoo-Rag protection garment

The machine-washable microfiber Hoo-Rag comes in both bright and subdued colors (for bright and subdued people) and definitely belongs in the patrol officer’s bug-out bag

A while back, I tested the Hoo-Rag, a new take on the old concept of the bandanna.

The Hoo-Rag is a seamless cylindrical shaped bandanna made of stretchy microfiber.

That microfiber is soft against the skin, and can be worn in dozens of different ways, from beanie-style to a balaclava.

As you can see in the video, the Hoo-Rag is extremely versatile. Pull the face mask down, it’s a neck gaiter. Roll it up (I had to practice this one), the Hoo-Rag becomes a hat. Since it’s lighter than a standard handkerchief, users can put a couple of these in their back pocket.

I ran with mine, first as a hat, then as a neck gaiter when I warmed up. After a couple more miles, I wrapped my neck gaiter around my wrist.

I found the product worked under a bike helmet and was effective as a sweat band.

Unless you’re reading this column from somewhere in the southern hemisphere, this news won’t matter to you until six months from now, but I should note that when worn as a face mask in cold weather, one can easily breathe through it.

The Hoo-Rag hat is effective as an ear warmer in temperatures above freezing and it can be doubled up with another Hoo-Rag in even-colder environments.

The Hoo-Rag is machine washable (I washed mine a few times, proving its colorfastness) and come in both bright and subdued colors (for bright and subdued people).

Hoo-Rag has the capability to transfer a custom design onto their product, which really makes it a “must have” for law enforcement.

Rather than using the heavy (and often itchy) balaclava in hot weather, Critical Response officers could have a Hoo-Rag with the agency logo on it. A couple of these in a uniform pocket can get an officer through a debris filled search or a chilly SAR mission.

This is a product that begs the question, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

The Hoo-Rag definitely belongs in the patrol officer’s bug-out bag.

Any votes for a PoliceOne Hoo-Rag?

About the author

Lindsey Bertomen is a retired police officer and retired military small arms trainer. He teaches criminal justice at Hartnell College in Salinas, California. He has a BS in Criminal Justice and an MS in Online Teaching and Learning. Lindsey has taught shooting techniques for over a decade. His articles on firearms tactics have appeared in print for over a decade. Lindsey enjoys competing in shooting sports, running, and cycling events.